Prairie View beats NCCU in MEAC/SWAC Challenge, 40-24

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Dawonya Tucker rushed for a career-high 267 yards and a touchdown to help Prairie View beat North Carolina Central 40-24 on Sunday in the 14th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Georgia State Stadium.

Prairie View scored the opening 23 points, but NCCU rallied by scoring the next 21.

Jalen Morton found Markcus Hardy wide open in the end zone to give Prairie View a 33-24 lead with 8:55 remaining in the game. On NCCU’s next drive, Ju’Anthony Parker made an interception and one play later, Tucker ran up the middle for a 50-yard touchdown.

Morton was 19-of-35 passing for 264 yards and two scores for Prairie View (1-1). He added 72 yards and a TD on the ground.

Morton capped a game-opening 80-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown run, and he connected with Hardy for a 15-yard score on their next possession.

Chauncey Caldwell threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns for NCCU (0-1).

It spoiled first-year head coach Granville Eastman’s debut with NCCU. He accepted the interim role after Jerry Mack left to be the offensive coordinator at Rice.